Explanation of Fees

Annual Fee: $1,660Children ages 17 - 25: FreeAdditional office visit co-pays or fees: NoneAssisted living on-site visits: Additional annual fee of $555. The fee covers the whole year; it is not per visit. This fee applies if I will be seeing a patient at his or her assisted living facility instead of in my office.

What does the annual fee include?

The annual fee covers your interactions with me. The fee also covers an individualized wellness and fitness plan and an extensive annual physical. There are no additional office visit charges. There may be some vaccines that are not covered, but the more routine vaccines like the flu shot are included. I do not mark up vaccines, you get the price I pay.

Do I have to pay the annual fee all at once?

You can pay the annual fee via a check or credit card. Or you may elect to pay 25% each calendar quarter via credit card. If you pay by credit card there is a $15 additional credit card fee per quarter (or $60 annually) that covers what the credit card companies charge to process the payment.

Does insurance cover the annual fee?

No, neither private insurance nor Medicare covers the annual fee.

Do I need to keep my insurance?

Yes. You need to keep your insurance or Medicare, as it will cover your other health care needs, such as specialist visits, hospital stays, lab costs, medications, and imaging and testing, per the terms of your insurance agreement. Medicare and insurance will continue to bill these providers directly.

Do you bill my insurance or Medicare?

No. I do not bill your insurance or Medicare for services I perform myself. I have opted out of Medicare and other insurers. (They consume over 40% of a doctor's resources just in billing processes).

If I have Medicare, can I join your practice?

Yes! Although neither you nor I can send a bill to Medicare for my direct services, Medicare will continue to cover referrals to specialists, hospital stays, lab costs, medications, and imaging and testing.

Is the annual fee tax deductible and can I pay it from my HSA or FSA account?

The tax authorities have not made clear how concierge medical fees fit into the Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) payment model. Many of my patients have elected to pay my fee via an HSA or FSA account, making the cost approximately 30% - 50% less on an after-tax basis.

What happens if I need to be admitted to the hospital?

I remain on the UVM Medical Center staff, considered a "community physician" instead of an employed physician. This means I am able to access all of your medical records. If you are hospitalized, I use the hospital-based physicians (hospitalists), like other employed and community-based physicians in the area. The hospitalists are present in the hospital and this allows for better, faster care. They communicate with me directly and I enjoy visiting my patients in the hospital and serve in a consulting and advocacy role.

If I move or am not satisfied and I paid for the full year, can I get a refund?

Yes. If you move or are not satisfied I will give you a prorated refund for the months you did not use. Over 90% of patients in concierge medical practices renew each year. First and foremost I want you to be satisfied!

How do I transfer my records to your new practice?

Because I'm on the staff at the UVM Medical Center, I have full access to your UVM Medical Center records through the electronic medical record. And with your permission, I can request records from any other physicians.

Is there a patient contract?

Yes. When you start with me there is a patient contract to sign that spells out all the details.

To get started, or if you have questions: please contact me at 802-881-9019 or at the email address below. If you would like to have an in-person informational meeting with me at no charge I am happy to do that with you.